Sele-acting cheese-press



rNITED STATES `PANT OFFICE.

WILLIAM LEACH, OF GLARKSON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, AND GEO. I. TIS- D'ALE, OF CHILI, NEIV YORK.

SELF-ACTING- CHEESE-PRESS.

Specication of Letters Patent No.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM LEACH, of Clarkson, in the county of Monroe and State ot' New York, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Constructing Self-Acting `Wine and Cheese Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part ot' this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my machine, Fig. 2, is an end elevation, Fig. 3, is a plan view with the beam E, removed, Fig. 4, is a plan of the levers and frame with the table removed.

Similar letters refer to like parts in all ot the figures.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention I will proceed to vdescribe it.

It consists of a table A, with a transverse hatten or cleat f near each end, to each of which are attached two clamps g which bolt to the cross levers B B, of which there are two at each end of the table as seen in the Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the two being connected by the transverse pieces /L it h` at each end and in the middle. The four levers are thus framed together in two pairs, oneof which is wider to permit the other to be placed through it so that they cross each other diagonally, forming a support for the table. A pair of trucks or rollers O, is placed at the lower extremity of each lever-frame upon which the structure rests. From the lower cross-rod L a pitman D, extends to and is connected with the central cross rod h of the opposite lever frame, connecting the lower end of each with the middle bar of the other.

From the cross pieces of the upper or short end of the lever-frames vertical rods 7o of iron extend upward passing through the follower beam E. A number of holes are provided in them through which pins z' z' F igs. 1 and 2, are placed, above the beams.

The pressing hoop or crate F, is set upon the table directly underneath the center of the beam, which is adjusted to it by moving the pins in the holes before mentioned. The weight of the material to be pressed resting on the table A, acts upon the cross levers through the connecting pins at g (which 22,920, dated February, 1859.

form their fulcra) and causes them to spread by the rolling of the casters C. This causes the lever' frames to assume an inclination which approaches nearer to the horizontal, thereby diminishing the space between the table A, and beam E, and exerting all of the power of the four levers upon the contents of the crate F. The-greater the weight uponA, the greater the tendency of the long arms (or feet) of the levers to spread by the rolling of the casters, and the increase in the pressing torce c-orresponds with the increased space between the casters. The otlice of the pitmen D D, is to so connect the levers that they will always remain at the same relative angle with the table A, whereby its level position is always maintained.

A rod Z, Fig. 4, extends through the narrowestlever-frame, on each projecting end of -which a pawl m, is attached, which takes into notches 0 on the upper side of the opposite pair of levers, and holds the table at any point of elevation desired when pre` paring or removing the article to be acted upon. To remove the pressure it is only necessary to seize one of the upper cross pieces h and elevate it.

A small lever handle in the form of a bent rod r Fig. 4, is attached to the cross rod Z by means of which the latter is turned to raise or lower the pawls m which are immovable on their axes.

The red dotted lines of Fig. 1 show the position of the various parts when in operation.

The rollers or casters C, are designed chiey to prevent friction of the ends of the levers with the ground or floor, and allow the levers more freely to act, but serve also for rendering the machine portable and easily moved from place to place. It is adapted to the pressing of cheese, grapes, and other articles for wine, and for various purposes where a light and portable press is required. It is cheaply constructed and from the simplicity of its parts, durable and little liable to get out of order.

I do not claim simply a self-acting press, but

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The pitmen D, D, arranged substantially as described, in combination with the pairs of cross-levers B, B, so as to keep said cross-levers at equal heights, at opposite ends of the press, and consequently at the same relative angle to the table A, in all positions, for the purpose of securing uniformity of pressure upon all parts of the articles pressed.

2. I also claim the Combination of the rod Z, handle 1", and paWls m, m, mounted in one pair of Cross-levers B, B, With the notches o, 0, o, or their equivalents, in the 10 other pair of cross-levers, arranged and 0perating substantially in' the manner and for v the purpose herein set forth.

WILLIAM LEACI-I.

Witnesses:

S. J. ALLIs, GEO. I. TIsDALE. 

